discus throwing

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.

Copyright The Columbia University Press

discus throwing, gymnastic exercise of the ancient Greeks, revived in modern times, especially as part of the Olympic games (in which it is an event of the decathlon) and as an event of most other track and field meets. The discus used to be thrown with either hand, the arm extended backward and the discus against the forearm. The discus for men is a circular disk of wood with a metal rim, weighs 4 lb 6.5 oz (2 kg), and is 85/8 in. (22 cm) in diameter. For women the discus is half this weight and slightly smaller in diameter. In modern discus throwing, the athlete rotates several times within a circle 8 ft 21/2 in. (2.5 m) in diameter before releasing the discus. Generally, three throws are permitted, the best one scoring. Highly skilled competitors throw the discus 230 ft (70 m) or more.

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discus

dis·cus
/ ˈdiskəs/
•
n.
(pl. -cus·es
)
a heavy thick-centered disk thrown by an athlete, in ancient Greek games or in modern field events. ∎
the athletic event or sport of throwing the discus:
she had placed first in the discus.

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discus

discus Field athletics event, in which a wooden and metal disc is thrown by competitors. The thrower rotates in a circle (diameter 2.5m/8.2ft) several times before releasing the discus. Originally an ancient Greek sport, it featured in the first modern Olympic Games (1896).

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